On May 9, 2016, Sydney Javon Berry, aged 23, was found fatally shot at the intersection of Gault Street and Lilley Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. At approximately 10:32 p.m., Columbus Police officers responded to what was initially reported as an accident. Upon their arrival, they discovered Berry, the driver of a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Witnesses at the scene reported that an unknown suspect in a Chevrolet Tahoe fired multiple shots into Berry's vehicle before fleeing in an unknown direction. Columbus Fire Department Medic 15 arrived shortly after and pronounced Berry deceased at 10:41 p.m.
Sydney Berry's homicide occurred in the 700 block of Lilley Avenue, a neighborhood that has experienced various incidents of crime. The shooting happened under circumstances that pointed to a deliberate and targeted attack. Despite efforts by the Columbus Police Department to gather more evidence and locate the suspect, no arrests have been made in connection to the case. Investigators have struggled to identify a suspect, and the case has been classified as an unsolved homicide.
Berry, who was born on November 7, 1992, was described as a graduate of Fort Hayes Career Center and was working as a forklift operator at Specialized Bicycles before his death. Despite his young age, Berry's life was marked by positive aspirations, which were tragically cut short. The Ohio Attorney General’s office and the Columbus Police Department continue to seek any new information that may help resolve the case, encouraging anyone with leads to come forward. As with many cold cases, advancements in forensic technology or a new witness coming forward could prove critical to solving the crime.
